For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. | “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” |
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. | For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. |
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But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. | But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. |
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. | O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. |
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. | Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. |
When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. | I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. |
So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. | Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. |
Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. | Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. |
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. | For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. |
Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. | You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. |
Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. | “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” |
For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. | You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. |
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. | Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. |
You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. | You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. | Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! |
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah | For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. |
The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” | For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” |
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? | What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? |
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. | Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. |
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. | Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. |
From there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul. | But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him. |
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. | You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. |
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” | I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” |
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield. | For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. |
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. | Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. |